Taemin has been quite busy preparing his solo album. It's his first solo activity since debuting as SHINee 6 years ago. He has preparing hard for his improved image. He said he exercised before the photoshoot. Maybe that's why, but his physique was more stocky than I expected. He was a strong young man. He still retains his boyishness and he's in the process of shedding his young skin and gradually becoming an adult. His "clumsy" image that his acquaintances think of and his image as a practice bug are only parts of who Taemin are. That's why we decided to uncover the inner canvas that lies within the name "Taemin". It is liberal yet strong and firm.
Painting is the theme of the shoot. If there was a big canvas on the easel in front of you, what would you draw?
Haha. I can't draw well. I think I'd just scribble. I would just do whatever, spraying paint and stroking the brush.
Like Jackson Pollock?
Yes, that's right. But it's not like that for pieces that I like. I don't know art or artwork names that well, but I do like art and styles related to the Bible. Like Michelangelo's "The Creation of Adam" or da Vinci's "The Last Supper". My cellphone wallpaper had a painting similar to those, but it's different now. I don't know the name of the piece, but it was a drawing of three women on an outing.
You have a better appearance than Jackson Pollock. Is there a color or style that you are really into like a crazy artist?
Black and red. I'm not the type that likes shopping, but I always buy achromatic clothes. I like simple and not uncomfortable clothes. There's no brand that I prefer. I just buy things that fit my body and catch my attention.
When I see how much you practice, you're like Gogh, who imitated Millet and tormented himself.
I try to fill the parts I fall short on, so I practice a lot. Now I don't practice like how I did in the past though. But while preparing for this solo album, I went all the way to the US to practice choreography and filmed a music video. I don't have much time, so I've been splitting my time and constantly practicing.
Shall we talk about your solo album?
The title track of this solo album is "Phantom Thief". The subtitle is "Danger". It's just as it is, it means a "strange thief" and it's a unique song. I try to show my personal color rather than SHINee's color. There's a R&B song, a pop song, a smooth song, and a tranquil song. Instead of having just one distinct style, I tied together several different ones. There's a powerful side that I wasn't able to show people before. You know how idol albums are usually like that. (Laugh) It's like a compilation gift for my fans.
Your concept is very strong. Does it reflect yourself a lot?
I don't feel that it is very different from me. The strong parts were definitely more emphasized. I changed up my visuals like makeup and hairstyle to something stronger. I thought it'd be good to not come out as a completely different person, but as someone that my fans know while others don't. It's kind of weird for me to say it myself, but I'd say the synchronization is around 80%?
Is it an image unique to Taemin, who has erased the name of SHINee?
Just because I erase it doesn't mean I can throw away SHINee's color. But that doesn't mean I'll force myself to show a different side of myself. It's because I've shown a lot of things as a SHINee member. That is also me. After I debuted and time passed by, I gained experience and people tell me that they've watched me change gradually. I am adding more onto that image. I will show a side of myself that is not extreme or burdensome. And I want to set my identity clearly. SHINee's identity is settled for the most part. That's why I think I have to earnestly appeal an image unique to Taemin of SHINee. I want to show that I've growth a lot musically and I want to show a type of music that only I am capable of doing. So that when I do it, you immediately think, "It's Taemin."
While preparing for your album, did you feel the difference between being in a group and being a soloist?
Since I have to fill the stage by myself, I think the entire process of the stage is very important. I can't do 100 from start to finish alone. I have to make my own story within three minutes.
It must be the first time you're hearing your voice for such a long period of time.
I listened to myself a lot. Just the fact that my voice is the only one coming out is amazing. I can't even process it that well. The songs are still under the mixing process, so even I haven't listened to all the mastered songs yet. The funny thing is, out of the songs I'm practicing, there's a part that the staff sing along to whenever they get the chance. It's the "Let's disappear, disappear, disappear, disappear" part. Everyone looks at each other and says, "Let's disappear, disappear, disappear, disappear." My voice must be addicting (laugh).
How many songs are in your first solo album?
There are a total of six songs. I'm preparing performances for three of those songs. Although I'm short on time, it's really fun. Because I'm filling the stage all by myself. I'm working with the choreographer hyung and we exchange opinions. I wanted to try out something new, so I received choreography from a young friend named Ian Eastwood, who does an urban style dance which is popular these days. He's young and twenty years old, but he's very talented. He started dancing since he was ten and became a dancer and choreographer in just six years. You'll receive a different feeling from this dance compared to the ones from before.
There must be a Taemin that the fans want and a Taemin that you want.
If you look at old things about me, it's very fascinating. I watch my debut sometimes and feel, "I debuted when I was really young." At that time, I thought, "I will do everything on my own." But now that I look back on it, I was so young. When I look at myself in the future, I'll probably seem young again. That's why I think the answer is to show a side of myself that fits the present me. What my fans want differ from person to person, but in the end, they like who I have been. So instead of continuing with a certain focus, showing my transformation, improvement, and growth is my homework. That's the best thing I can show to my fans.
You must have had a hard time too, right?
When I'm weak, I push on forward. And there are times when I need sensibility that matches those emotions. I don't think always being in good condition is all that good. The way I see it, having those inconsistent ups and downs actually help with growth.
Boyfriend's Minwoo said his role model is Taemin and said, "He received attention for his young age and pretty looks. As time passes, he shows his process of becoming masculine and I think it's cool." How does it feel to be more manly as time passes?
I'm thankful that he said it like that. But I'm not sure. I lose things easily. Just yesterday, I lost my cellphone and found it. I'm not glorifying the process; I experience many things and change as I live. Wouldn't Minwoo do the same? I think being manly is being able to take care of others responsibly . Knowing how to take care of yourself and others is what a real man is. The type of person who can say one word to another and be comforting. I want to be someone who can move people's hearts.
Source: The Celebrity September Issue
Translated by: kimchi hana @ shineee.net
Painting is the theme of the shoot. If there was a big canvas on the easel in front of you, what would you draw?
Haha. I can't draw well. I think I'd just scribble. I would just do whatever, spraying paint and stroking the brush.
Like Jackson Pollock?
Yes, that's right. But it's not like that for pieces that I like. I don't know art or artwork names that well, but I do like art and styles related to the Bible. Like Michelangelo's "The Creation of Adam" or da Vinci's "The Last Supper". My cellphone wallpaper had a painting similar to those, but it's different now. I don't know the name of the piece, but it was a drawing of three women on an outing.
You have a better appearance than Jackson Pollock. Is there a color or style that you are really into like a crazy artist?
Black and red. I'm not the type that likes shopping, but I always buy achromatic clothes. I like simple and not uncomfortable clothes. There's no brand that I prefer. I just buy things that fit my body and catch my attention.
When I see how much you practice, you're like Gogh, who imitated Millet and tormented himself.
I try to fill the parts I fall short on, so I practice a lot. Now I don't practice like how I did in the past though. But while preparing for this solo album, I went all the way to the US to practice choreography and filmed a music video. I don't have much time, so I've been splitting my time and constantly practicing.
Shall we talk about your solo album?
The title track of this solo album is "Phantom Thief". The subtitle is "Danger". It's just as it is, it means a "strange thief" and it's a unique song. I try to show my personal color rather than SHINee's color. There's a R&B song, a pop song, a smooth song, and a tranquil song. Instead of having just one distinct style, I tied together several different ones. There's a powerful side that I wasn't able to show people before. You know how idol albums are usually like that. (Laugh) It's like a compilation gift for my fans.
Your concept is very strong. Does it reflect yourself a lot?
I don't feel that it is very different from me. The strong parts were definitely more emphasized. I changed up my visuals like makeup and hairstyle to something stronger. I thought it'd be good to not come out as a completely different person, but as someone that my fans know while others don't. It's kind of weird for me to say it myself, but I'd say the synchronization is around 80%?
Is it an image unique to Taemin, who has erased the name of SHINee?
Just because I erase it doesn't mean I can throw away SHINee's color. But that doesn't mean I'll force myself to show a different side of myself. It's because I've shown a lot of things as a SHINee member. That is also me. After I debuted and time passed by, I gained experience and people tell me that they've watched me change gradually. I am adding more onto that image. I will show a side of myself that is not extreme or burdensome. And I want to set my identity clearly. SHINee's identity is settled for the most part. That's why I think I have to earnestly appeal an image unique to Taemin of SHINee. I want to show that I've growth a lot musically and I want to show a type of music that only I am capable of doing. So that when I do it, you immediately think, "It's Taemin."
While preparing for your album, did you feel the difference between being in a group and being a soloist?
Since I have to fill the stage by myself, I think the entire process of the stage is very important. I can't do 100 from start to finish alone. I have to make my own story within three minutes.
It must be the first time you're hearing your voice for such a long period of time.
I listened to myself a lot. Just the fact that my voice is the only one coming out is amazing. I can't even process it that well. The songs are still under the mixing process, so even I haven't listened to all the mastered songs yet. The funny thing is, out of the songs I'm practicing, there's a part that the staff sing along to whenever they get the chance. It's the "Let's disappear, disappear, disappear, disappear" part. Everyone looks at each other and says, "Let's disappear, disappear, disappear, disappear." My voice must be addicting (laugh).
How many songs are in your first solo album?
There are a total of six songs. I'm preparing performances for three of those songs. Although I'm short on time, it's really fun. Because I'm filling the stage all by myself. I'm working with the choreographer hyung and we exchange opinions. I wanted to try out something new, so I received choreography from a young friend named Ian Eastwood, who does an urban style dance which is popular these days. He's young and twenty years old, but he's very talented. He started dancing since he was ten and became a dancer and choreographer in just six years. You'll receive a different feeling from this dance compared to the ones from before.
There must be a Taemin that the fans want and a Taemin that you want.
If you look at old things about me, it's very fascinating. I watch my debut sometimes and feel, "I debuted when I was really young." At that time, I thought, "I will do everything on my own." But now that I look back on it, I was so young. When I look at myself in the future, I'll probably seem young again. That's why I think the answer is to show a side of myself that fits the present me. What my fans want differ from person to person, but in the end, they like who I have been. So instead of continuing with a certain focus, showing my transformation, improvement, and growth is my homework. That's the best thing I can show to my fans.
You must have had a hard time too, right?
When I'm weak, I push on forward. And there are times when I need sensibility that matches those emotions. I don't think always being in good condition is all that good. The way I see it, having those inconsistent ups and downs actually help with growth.
Boyfriend's Minwoo said his role model is Taemin and said, "He received attention for his young age and pretty looks. As time passes, he shows his process of becoming masculine and I think it's cool." How does it feel to be more manly as time passes?
I'm thankful that he said it like that. But I'm not sure. I lose things easily. Just yesterday, I lost my cellphone and found it. I'm not glorifying the process; I experience many things and change as I live. Wouldn't Minwoo do the same? I think being manly is being able to take care of others responsibly . Knowing how to take care of yourself and others is what a real man is. The type of person who can say one word to another and be comforting. I want to be someone who can move people's hearts.
Source: The Celebrity September Issue
Translated by: kimchi hana @ shineee.net
1. Taemin as Siel from the anime REBORN
2. Taemin as the Undertaker from KUROSHITSUJI a.k.a BLACK BUTLER
3. Taemin as Levi from Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titan)
4. Taemin as Marilyn Manson
Taemin as anime character and cosplay
1. Taemin as Siel from the anime REBORN
2. Taemin as the Undertaker from KUROSHITSUJI a.k.a BLACK BUTLER
3. Taemin as Levi from Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titan)
4. Taemin as Marilyn Manson
Taemin as anime character and cosplay
1. Taemin as Siel from the anime REBORN
2. Taemin as the Undertaker from KUROSHITSUJI a.k.a BLACK BUTLER
3. Taemin as Levi from Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titan)
4. Taemin as Marilyn Manson